Morning, July 2
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Bible League: Living His Word
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

If one were to make a summary as concise as possible of the biblical worldview, then one would have to say that it is the authoritative story about, and teaching about, God and His creation. The biblical worldview views God as the creator and redeemer of the creation and, as such, views Him as the central focus and ultimate meaning of everything in the creation. Our verse for today expresses this summary in its own way and it also tells us what our primary response should be to this fundamental state of affairs.

First, we are told that all things come from God. This should not be understood in a pantheistic or panentheistic way, as if the creation was in some way a manifestation or part of God's being. Rather, it should be understood in the biblical way. All things come from God because He called them into existence from nothing by His mighty word. Thus, although all things come from God, He is radically distinct from them.

Second, we are told that all things are through Him. God not only called all things into existence from nothing, but He also providentially sustains, directs, and governs all things. Apart from God's providence, all things would revert back to nothingness. Creation, to put it another way, is totally dependent upon God's continuing providential control. God is the ultimate divine reality upon which created reality depends for its origin and continuing existence.

Third, we are told that all things are to Him. This teaching should also not be understood in a pantheistic or panentheistic way, as if the creation will someday return to the very being of God. Rather, it should be understood in the biblical way. All things are to Him because He determines the ultimate destiny and goal of all things. Thus, although all things are to Him, they will never cease to exist as distinct from Him.

Finally, we are told that our response to all this should be to give God the glory. Since God is who He is as described above, He is worthy of receiving all the praise, honor, and fame His central focus and ultimate meaning to the creation deserves.

The fundamental existential situation we find ourselves in as human beings was set up by God, not by us, or anything else in the creation. We should be humble enough, therefore, to acknowledge this and give the glory to the one who truly deserves it.

Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
Job 23, 24, 25


Job 23 -- Job Longs to Appear before God

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Job 24 -- Wickedness is Often Unpunished, but there is a Secret Judgment for the Wicked

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Job 25 -- Bildad Says that Man Cannot be Justified before God

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


New Testament Reading
Acts 10:24-48


Acts 10 -- Cornelius' and Peter's Visions; Peter Preaches to the Gentiles

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Insight
There are two requirements for coming to God. Like Peter, we must recognize our own sinfulness. Then, like these fishermen, we must realize that we can't save ourselves.
Challenge
If we know that we need help, and if we know that Jesus is the only one who can help us, we will be ready to leave everything and follow him.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Psalm 33:21  Our heart shall rejoice in Him.

Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus--it is all by Jesus. Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy. He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, "Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die; nay, he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is at once

"The glory of our brightest days;

The comfort of our nights."

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Exodus 12:43  The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat of it;

Hebrews 13:10  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Ephesians 2:12,13  remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. • But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14,15  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, • by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

Ephesians 2:19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,

Revelation 3:20  'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening July 1
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